Merry Christmas

Loving God, we open ourselves to you this Christmas season.
As these candles are lit, light our lives with your imagination.
Show us the creative power of hope.
Teach us the peace that comes from justice.
Fill us with the kind of joy that cannot be contained, but must be shared.
Maginfy your love within us.
Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you,
that we may walk in the light of Christ.

Merry CHRISTmas Everyone!!!

Christmas Window Boxes

This is what my window boxes look like this year:



Next year I would love to have these window boxes:

image from Martha Stewart

Trees

When I was out and about the other day, I noticed all different kinds of Christmas trees. So, I had to share with you. Can you just imagine the ones below, all decked out with decorations. I would love to see how some creative person would decorate the black tree. Are you thinking about it, too?

Yes, they even sell a Charlie Brown tree!

This would be the tree I would love to have in my classroom. I just love it! Just look at those huge erasers. I'm thinking the kids wouldn't have a problem finding these.

And last, but not least. My little tree.

Thanks for stopping by today. Have a great weekend!

Grinch

Last year I went down south for a Christmas gathering. After, everyone left my cousins, myself, and my friend went out to a local small town bar. It was fun, we had drinks and popcorn and played some pool. As we played pool, we started talking about the Santa that was sitting at the bar and how funny it would be if he would come over and sit on my friend, Becky's lap. Well, to my surprise when he turned around he had a Grinch mask on. Kind of strange, and not to mention scary looking. Non-the-less we got him to come over and we took this picture with him. So, I have been trying to figure out how to use the pictures I took that evening.





Thank goodness I like to stalk Ellen's blog, because she created a Grinch in punch art form. I consider myself extremely lucky to have found her blog, because this is one woman that is truly blessed with a talent, and I consider myself to be truly blessed to be able to CASE her creations. LOL


So, here he is. I made up a 6 x 6 page for my punch creation book. So, friends I can say that I'm finally one step closer at getting my page done in my scrapbook. Yay! Have a good day and don't put your Grinch face on. Ha, ha, ha!

Peppermint Bark Popcorn

I believe making homemade goodies is one of the best ways to share my love for friends and family. So with the holiday season already upon us, I wanted to show you one of my favorite gifts from the kitchen, and hopefully more to come. This is a recent discovery, a friend made something very similar for me earlier in the season.


I think this might be the perfect Christmas treat because:
1. It's yummy.
2. It's e.a.s.y. So easy! And quick too.
3. Just one batch makes enough to fill up lots of goodie bags.
4. It packs well. It's dry and in small pieces, so it's perfect for filling any type of container, or throwing it in a big bowl for a party.
5. Did I mention it's yummy?

Recipe:

16-20 C popped popcorn (fresh, or about 2 bags microwave popcorn)

1 lb Almond Bark

1 6oz box candy canes, crushed. (About 1-1 1/2 C total)

2 tea. peppermint extract

3/4 C semi-sweet chocolate chips

*one bag microwave popcorn has about 10 cups in it, so if you're air-popping, do about 20 cups.

Okay, I have to admit unwrapping the candy canes and crushing them is the most labor intensive step of this easy-peasy treat. I put my candy canes in a large zip-lock bag and have a whack with a hammer, but a heavy marble rolling pin would work.

Thanks for taking a look and who knows, maybe this will become a new tradition for you and your family.